Page 27 of Fast Track to Forever
I nibble on her neck. “Uh-uh.” I exhale and free myself from her embrace. “My legs are jelly. I feel like I ran a marathon.”
She winks, gets up and goes to the bathroom to freshen up, while collecting her clothes scattered around the lounge.
“You can join me in the shower. Saves time.” Another wink. She'll be the death of me. But I can't resist it, and I sprint after her.
Kat
Will opensmy car door for me, but before I can get in, he cups my face and kisses me again.
“Would you like to move here with me until I leave for Europe at least?”
His question takes me by surprise. Yet I know what my heart tells me. I cup his face in my hands. “Yes, of course. Give me a couple of days to sort stuff out at home.”
“They won't talk you out of it, I hope.”
They, my parents. The obstacle still to overcome. I swallow. “I'll talk them round. Bye. Love you.”
“Love you too. Merry Christmas.” Will blows me a kiss.
“Merry Christmas.” I wave and start the engine, and my journey around the lake. I’m not so sure how to bring my parents round, no matter how confident I was with Will. They’re already set against the relationship, and I’m going to have to tell them I won’t work at the flour company, too. Way to ruin a Christmas, Kat. I don't think a belligerent approach will go down well. It's Christmas day after all.
My dad carvesthe Roast Ham in thick slices. I dish out some roast vegetables onto my plate and drizzle some gravy.
“Delicious, mum!”
“I bet England doesn't have roasts as good as your mum's Kat.” My dad winks and loads his plate.
I sigh. Why do they have to make everything about me staying? It's Christmas Day, for goodness sake. I take a bite out of a roast potato and stay quiet.
My dad places his napkin on the table. “Were you with Will this afternoon?”
Maybe this might be a good time to mention that I'm moving in with Will. For a brief while anyway.
“Yes, I was. What's more, I?—”
The landline rings its cheerful tune, interrupting the conversation. My dad frowns but he gets up to answer.
“You know we don't approve, Katarina. I told you already,” my mum says.
I shake my head. “But I love him, mum. And he loves me.”
“When, now? I'm coming straight away.” My dad’s panicked words steal our attention from the growing argument.
He puts the phone down and looks at us. “There's a pest control inspection at the flour mill. Someone phoned pest control to say there are mice.”
I drop my fork, and we all huddle together in my car.
I try to lighten the atmosphere. “The factory is spotless. I'm sure they aren't going to find anything.”
I glance in the mirror. My parents look ashen.
“It must be those De Jongs. Who else would do such a slanderous thing?!”
I nearly laugh but think better of it. “Mum, be reasonable. It's a storm in a teacup.”
My mum mumbles something. I speed through town, taking all the shortcuts I remember from a few years back when I was living here.
We arrive at the flour mill in ten minutes max, and the inspectors’ car is already there.
